The North Florida Women's
Chorale was founded in 1992 by Dr. M.J. Palmer, director of the UNF Choral
Department, as an auditioned organization for the purpose of promoting the
performance of music written for women's voices.
Since
its founding in 1992, the North Florida Women’s Chorale has attracted talent
from the Jacksonville, Beaches and St. Augustine areas. Musicians with
diverse professional backgrounds, including public relations, medicine, sales
and education have all graced our ranks. Its 20 year history has seen 5
conductors: Dr. M. J. Palmer (1992-1998), Dr. Carl Peters,
(1998-2002), Joel Colsant (2002-2004), Dr. Ted Mathews (2004-2006), and Kerry
Fradley, (from 2006).
For
the 20th Anniversary Celebration Concert on April 27, 2013, the
Chorale presented the premiere performance of “Listening”, based on the poem by
Amy Lowell, Pulitzer prize-winning poet. The original commissioned piece
by Dawn Sonntag, for the occasion of our 20thAnniversary Season, was
premiered at the Community Presbyterian Church in Atlantic Beach, followed by a
Reception honoring our past, with 4 out of 5 former Music Directors present!
The
Women's Chorale has made several concert tours in the U.S including Washington
D. C in 2010, Chicago with noted conductor Rollo Dilworth and Atlanta.
- 2015 - Summerville S.C.
- 2013 - Biltmore Estate, Asheville, N.C.
- 2013 - St. Matthias Episcopal Church, Asheville, N.C.
- 2010 - Washington, D.C.
- 2007– Performed Jacksonville Community Choral Festival.
- 2006– Chicago Musical Workshop Tour with notable music composer and conductor Rollo Dilworth.
- 2002- Cathedral Basilica in St. Augustine for the organ fund benefit.